Six Big Ten Women’s Soccer Student-Athletes Named CSC Academic All-Americans

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Six Big Ten Conference women’s soccer student-athletes have been selected as Academic All-Americans by members of the College Sports Communicators (CSC), the organization announced on Wednesday.

Michigan State’s Justina Gaynor and Nebraska’s Eleanor Dale were named to the First Team, while Penn State’s Kate Wiesner and Cori Dyke and Nebraska’s Sarah Weber earned Second Team honors and Penn State’s Katherine Asman was recognized on the Third Team.

Gaynor earns the First Team honor after being named the Big Ten’s Midfielder of the Year, totaling a team-high 24 points from six goals and 12 assists this season. Gaynor’s offensive spark helped the Spartans to their second consecutive Big Ten championship and the program’s first NCAA Third Round appearance.

Big Ten Forward of the Year, Dale, joins Gaynor on the First Team after leading the nation in goals (28) behind 61 points. Dale helped her team to a Big Ten Soccer Championship and an NCAA Quarterfinals appearance. Dale broke the Nebraska record for most goals in a single season and is tied for first in the Husker record books in game-winning goals and total shots in a single season. Dale is a finalist for this year’s MAC Hermann Trophy, with the winner expected to be announced on Jan. 5, 2024. 

Dyke earns Second Team honors after tallying five goals, six assists and 16 points in 2023, all career-highs for the Big Ten Defender of the Year.

Wiesner earned All-Big Ten Third Team honors, appearing in 21 matches during her final season, tallying two goals and five assists for nine total points. Wiesner and Dyke’s stark defense helped Penn State become the best scoring defense in the Big Ten during the 2023 campaign.  

Weber was a First Team All-Big Ten selection after starting 23 games this season, scoring 16 goals and totaling 38 points. Additionally, Weber recorded four game-winning goals, helping Nebraska to the Elite Eight and a Big Ten regular season title.

Asman garnered All-Big Ten Second Team honors after finishing the season first in the conference in goals-against average and 16th best in Division I with a 0.577 mark. Asman moved into the top three at Penn State in career saves, shutouts and minutes, while ranking fourth in school history in career victories.

To be considered for CSC Academic All-America status, students must not only maintain a minimum 3.30 GPA, but must also be a starter or key reserve, competing in at least 50 percent of their school’s contests.

A full list of the Big Ten women’s soccer Academic All-Americans can be found below, with the complete list of Division I women’s soccer Academic All-Americans available here.

CSC Women’s Soccer Academic All-Americans

First Team

Justina Gaynor, Sr., M, Michigan State (4.00, Kinesiology)

Eleanor Dale, Sr., F, Nebraska (3.84, Criminal Justice)

Second Team

Kate Wiesner, Sr., D, Penn State (3.91, Human Development & Family Studies)

Cori Dyke, Sr., M, Penn State (3.96/3.96, Kinesiology)

Sarah Weber, Jr., F, Nebraska (3.93, Nutrition & Health Sciences)

Third Team

Katherine Asman, Gr., GK, Penn State (3.96/3.96, MBA)